Application quality is not dependent just on automation: Find out other factors

The success of any software application depends on the quality of the application and is in turn an important factor for the success of the IT organization. Customer satisfaction is an important factor for the success of any company and in case of IT concerns it is achieved through providing the clients with high quality of software applications. There are a large number of factors or aspects that determine the quality and performance of the software application apart from test automation.

Flexibility and Extensibility:

Flexibility may be defined as the ability of any software application of adding, modifying or removing any functionality from the system without damaging the same. Extensibility on the other hand is the ability of a software application in terms of adding more functionality without causing any damage to the system. This can also be thought of similar to a subset of flexibility. The changes in the functionality often occur in accordance to the varying requirements. It may also be seen as an obligation in case the development process ranks as one of the iterative methods. With Change being an inevitable element in the development of software, this makes it to rank as one of the most important properties with respect to the quality of the software application.

Maintainability and Readability:

Maintainability focuses on the modifications regarding error corrections as well as minor ones related to the functions and not the major extensibilities of functions. These modifications are able to be supported with valuable interface definitions, documentations, as well as self documenting codes and may be the code documentations. The relationship between maintainability and documentation is directly proportional. With the documentation being more useful and correct, maintainability also gets enhanced.

Performance and Efficiency:

Performance is generally measured in terms of the time that the software takes to response. This response time of the software needs to be within the acceptable intervals i.e. within a maximum of few seconds.

The response time of the software must not increase with an increase in the transaction count. With the resources being expensive, efficiency of the software needs to be supported with effective allocation of resources.

Scalability:

It has been observed that the response of a scalable system to the user actions is within an acceptable amount of time, even if load increases.

Scalability is of two types Vertical and horizontal. Vertical scalability occurs when more hardware requires to be added for handling effectively a rate of increased user transaction. This should not lead to any changes in the architecture while adding this.

Horizontal Scalability may be expressed as the ability of running a software application on a number of machines that are increasing consistently leading to multiple processing. An ideal scalable system needs to suit both these methods.

Security:

Security is an important attribute of software development as well as its quality. Security is highly significant in terms of mobile based or web or that usually have millions of users and provides the option of remote access to the system.

A security policy needs to be constructed and applied effectively without leaving any points of entry. Constructing a security policy often requires including techniques of authentication and authorization protections against network attacks, data encryptions and more. An effective policy must be aimed at constructing security leaks or else the entire application may collapse within a day not withstanding a single attack resulting in a considerable loss to the developing organization.

Availability, Robustness and Fault Tolerance:

For a software application to be robust enough, it needs to hold on to its availability and not lose it even in the most disastrous situations. This makes it to continue running even if some of the components in the application to fall off or break down.

A robust software application should recover itself, even if the entire application crashes, making sound use of the data and backup hardware powered with approaches of fault tolerance. Always there must be another plan a B or even C, D plans.

Reliability:

Reliability is another factor that determines the quality of the software. It can also be explained in terms of integrity as well as consistency of the software application even while running under conditions of high load. This makes it is relevant to availability as well as scalability as an unreliable system is not scalable.

Testability

A software product must facilitate establishment of an acceptance criteria and support the evaluation or assessment of its performance. This characteristic needs to be built-in at the time of designing the application. This would help in determining if the application is easily testable. A complex design results in poor testability.

Usability

A software application must be usable in the sense that it becomes convenient as well as practicable to use. This feature of the software application is affected by the interface of human-computer. The Graphical User Interface or GUI as it is commonly known as is the software component that is mostly impacted by this

A real time cost benefit analysis of offshoretesting vs. QA staffing

A real time cost benefit analysis of offshoretesting vs. QA staffing

A software development process is incomplete without testing. After a software product is developed, it is the task of the testers to find out if the product meets the performance and practical requirements. If not, then it is the task of the developers to rework on the project until or unless the performance requirements are met. It is a practice that every responsible and credible IT service provider needs to provide to their clients as based on the quality of products delivered, payments are dispatched from the end users.

Cost Cutting Techniques by Testing Using QA Staffing

If a company has its own testing facility then it becomes simple to conduct testing but at the same time becomes a bit cost effective. Efficient QA staffing or hiring testers on a full-time or contract basis for testing purposes help resolves issues pertaining to handling such IT process.

IT Companies look for profits and that can be attained if cost cutting measures are adopted in the testing procedure. Following cost cutting measures can be attained by hiring testers by an IT firm.

• In this context, it needs to be said that both money and time is saved if the defects in the software are identified early.
• Also once a flaw is detected in the software during the testing process, money is saved if the time taken to rectify the software is less.
• Better customer service helps in comprehending the user requirements and this is a good thing from the testing perspective.
• If the end users demand modification or enhancement in the software, it is necessary for the service provider to respond accordingly.
• For an IT company to deliver quality and efficient services, it becomes easy to identify the lacunas associated with the company’s developers and programmers.

Cost Cutting using Offshore Testing Services

All the above steps do contribute to cut costs so far as software testing is concerned. Yet another method that can be implemented to reduce cost is through outsourcing of software testing. IT companies engaged in the development process have identified that offshore testing contributes significantly to cut costs thereby raising the profit margin. There are a number of service providers that do testing for companies at comparatively low rates.

For a client company who wants its software to be tested by a service provider, does not have to incur unnecessary expenditure on recruiting testers and this cut costs for the company drastically.However, there are certain disadvantages associated with such process. The prime being that the company doing the outsourcing has to depend totally on the service provider doing the outsourced jobs.If the service provider fails to make timely delivery of the projects, then the company image is very much tarnished in front of the end users. Often this results in the company losing business.

But in general it is observed that outsourcing is the preferred choice of most IT companies

Reduction of expenses with resources

• There is a significant reduction of expenses with resources.
• The providers of testing services are not only adept in using the costly testing tools, but they own them.Because of this, the testing process is a cost saver.
• For the small software development firms which do not have the resources to hire a testing team, outsourcing is the best option.

Use of quality software

• In most cases off shore testing is associated with the use of quality software.
• The pertinent service providers usually stick to best practices in the process that incorporates prompt identification of defects, smart approaches in preparing test cases, thereby saving time, effort and cost.

Faster testing cycles

• The testing service providers use skills in automating testing resulting is faster testing cycles.
• They also optimize staffing thereby enabling handling of fluctuations in demands.
• Also, since most of them cater only to the testing process, their focus is to provide quality and timely testing services.

Safe practice

• As compared to QA staffing for testing purposes by IT companies, it is observed that outsourcing is a safe practice provided the service providers approached for accomplishing the tasks have the requisite credentials in terms of experience, infrastructure, human resources.
• Therefore, emerging companies, with limited IT infrastructure prefer outsourcing rather than building in house testing facilities.

The IT companies in this process access dexterous team of software testers. The professionals engaged in such testing process are skilled in using the different testing tools.

5 Best practices for Ad-hoc testing

Ad-Hoc testing is a kind where the tester performs the test without any prior planning. In fact, there is no adequate time for properly designing test scenarios with the desired results. In most of the cases, the tests are carried out without any documentation describing the basic specifications and requirements. While executing such tests the tester can easily adopt this approach to tests any part of the system and find out the hidden bugs, if any. Usually, the tester applies skills, intuition, experience and knowledge for the software testing. As far as applying this process is concerned, it is usually carried out under demanding project schedules. There are times when it is impossible to perform extensive testing. Under such circumstances, ad-hoc testings are adopted in place of conservative processes.

However, before indulging in its practice, it is always advisable to follow certain guidelines that will help the tester to acquire more this type of testing.

Get familiar with the software

Knowledge about the architecture of the software is essential to ensure success in ad-hoc testing. Hence, the trick is to get accustomed with the way the software functions.

Test properly

Merely going through the testing procedure is not enough. The best part of ad-hoc testing is that it allows you to test all the software parts without facing any kind of restrictions. The testers can utilize this factor in their favor. They can perform the tests on various levels of the applications. Moreover, it is equally important to focus on the areas that have more risks. Although these are performed without any planned process, an expert tester will always consider the risk analysis first. Hence, it is advisable to begin with the fundamental risk identification and analysis. Once the tester comprehends the necessary areas, he can move onto the bigger folds.

Compare with a tester who lacks knowledge

An adept tester has the desired opportunity to rely completely on his knowledge and ability. This allows him to think about the specific and related testing situations. Such a scope will enable him to look for more number of software bugs during the process.

Experience matters

If your tester has considerable experience, he will be able to find the bugs as compared to an inexperienced tester.

Never mind the numbers of tests

This is another factor that will have an impact on your success or failure. The number of tests decides how many bugs you come across. Mostly, when there is a tight schedule to maintain during project completion, several rounds of testings cannot be possible. But if you consider the best practices, the more tests you perform, the better will be the visibility of the bugs.

Benefits of Ad-hoc Testing

The ability to learn is the final word on ad-hoc testing. The capability of the tester to learn about the software is critical along with the ability to find out the bugs. While discussing about the best practices, the question might arise as to why is it necessary to opt for ad-hoc testing. Well, there are several advantages associated with this testing process. One of the major reasons is that it can be used as an additional testing layer during the regular testing processes. Secondly, this kind of testing offers quicker results and it can considerably improve the aim that could not be developed during the conservative testing methods.

Improvisation is an essential factor in these kinds of tests. It enables the testers to focus on the software instead of the official documentation. In this process, the tester will learn more about the software – its integrations, architecture and flow. It is considered one of the most efficient ways in which software testing is carried out under demanding timelines.

Mobile Compatibility Testing Best Practices

Mobile compatibility testing is a process by which quality and performance in terms of functionality, consistency and usability of the mobile application software are tested. Lack of mature testing tools, different devices and platforms, short release cycles and the diverse network connectivity options are some of the key challenges that often result in numerous missed deadlines and cost overruns in today’s mobile app testing environment.

An inclusive mobile testing strategy involves device and network infrastructure, optimized choice of target devices, an effectual combination of automated and manual testing tools. When it comes to getting your mobile applications to market timely and within budget is it essential to conduct functional as well as non-functional testing.

Let’s discuss about the various elements of an effective mobile compatibility testing strategy and best practices that optimize mobile application testing.

Compatibility Checking

• Testing professionals focus on ensuring excellent mobile application compatibility and functions across multiple devices of different hardware, screen sizes and resolutions.
• A test plan is drafted on evaluating the devices from the end user market. Devices and testing environment are decided respectively, based on the evaluation report.
• Apart from the compatibility checking, functionality on several devices is also checked up for Interoperability after rigorous testing.
• Compatibility and Interoperability analysis is managed and reported using external and internal test management and bug reporting tools.

Best Mobile Testing Practices

Software testing of mobile applications uses many of the same QA & Testing practices typically used for other software applications. However, there are significant factors that can define how successful the mobile app is ultimately.

Below are the best strategies in developing and performing quality assurance on mobile applications for addressing precise aspects of the testing procedure.

• Ensuring that you have access to not just emulators or simulators but all physical devices on which the application run.
• Considering the personnel, additional time or both required to test all the application modules on multiple devices.
• Having an explicit list of devices on which QA will be carried out. Basically, this means that the professionals are committed to supporting some Operating Systems and devices on which the app will perform as designed. The users are informed that although the application might work on other devices, the personnel won’t be held responsible for unexpected issues. Nowadays, this approach is taken by the majority leading vendors, for instance, Skype.
• Implementing a mixed strategy when you have a set-up where you do not have all the supporting devices and so cannot perform exhaustive testing on each. In the early stages of application development, you can use an emulator. Also, keep adding real devices into the testing later down the development cycle. Thus, you can certify that all the objectives and requirements are being covered.

Major Functional Testing

• Checking the application as a “black box” and trying to break it.
• Opening every screen of the mobile app and changing the position from portrait to landscape mode and back again as this is the way to discover most errors.
• Checking device-specific functions, like communication interfaces and sensors.
• Writing test automation scripts for mobile apps by using a standard tool.
• Choosing a test automation tool that fits into the company infrastructure as well as strategy.

Key Non-Functional Testing

• Usability tests.
• Comparing performance levels for upgrades between the new and the released version of the app.
• Checking how the application reacts to SMS, incoming calls, tweets or MMS.
• Authenticating the test device’s battery drain.
• Checking memory usage of the app.
• The ease with which the application is Installed and deleted.
• Checking mobile applications for version upgrades.
• Compatibility and Localization testing.
• Testing the application on various carriers and network connections such as GPRS, Wi-Fi or LTE.
• Choosing the right testing tools.

Mobile testing is more useful, if the testing team and the developer have a better understanding of the target end users of the apps. With the above mentioned knowledge, the development and testing teams can optimize and reduce the amount of development and testing effort required for different devices and varied software versions.

10 Top Testing Trends To Watch For In 2015

The software testing landscape is consistently evolving owing to the complex software projects. In fact, the software industry has undergone several structural changes in the past few years. In this regard, 2014 was considered a dynamic year owing to the commencement of the SOA (Service Oriented Architecture), cloud testing and virtualization. Internet of Things (IoT) is another primary advancement that is gradually altering the ways in which organizations interact with their employees, customers as well as partners. A report released by NelsonHall in 2014 indicated towards a surge in the software testing domain. According to the report from this leading analyst firm, by 2018 the domain is expected to grow every year by 9.5%.

So which software testing trends are all set to rule in 2015? Here are the top 10 trends that will definitely create an impact on the testing domain –

Security Testing to become top priority

There are certain basic aspects that security testing covers. These include confidentiality, authentication, integrity, availability, authorization and non-repudiation. These tests are performed to judge the capability of the software or a system to prevent unauthorized access to data as well as resources. An enhanced connectivity of data and resources, rise of cloud computing and IoT will inevitably make security testing a priority for the IT organizations.

Cloud Testing will be adopted rapidly

Cloud computing is another field that is increasingly becoming a part of the mainstream IT industry. It is estimated that by 2015 around 26% of the software applications will be hosted on the cloud. This is because cloud infrastructure provides suitable solutions that are cost effective and are easy to build and maintain.

Big Data Testing to become more popular

The era of big data has arrived. This is a trend that is becoming popular rapidly. These tests are no more limited to test data chunks. Rather this test is applied to judge the accuracy of the information obtained. In 2015, the trend for Big Data testing is all set to grow.

Mobile Testing

‘Go mobile’ is the 2015 mantra. This trend will have a huge impact on the software testing industry. The popularity of the handheld devices has led to a steep rise in the use of mobile apps. It is expected that by the end of 2015, the growth will shoot upto 95%.

Agile Testing development

Agile development methodology is applied to ensure a sound testing approach. 2015 will witness continuous testing a lot as organizations aim at reaching the delivery phase without waiting for too long. This will also result in testing in production as testers will be required to provide updates continuously regarding the progress on the software development.

IoT Testing to matter

Internet of Things includes everything that is connected to the internet. In the recent times it has witnessed growth as the world becomes interconnected. As more and more users expect hassle free performance of the apps and other technologies, the demand for IoT testing will increase.

DevOps Movement

Organizations are looking for quick deployment that will be cost effective and of high quality. This is where the DevOps method has a considerable role to play. It belnds the tasks performed by the organizations, developers and professionals. Testing, in this case, plays a significant role. The demand for DevOps professionals will rise in 2015.

Service Virtualization

It allows the DevOps teams to use the virtual services in place of the traditional production services. This helps in carrying out the tests comprehensively even if the important components are not present in the system architecture. With the DevOps movement gaining ground, this, too, will grow.

Telematics Testing will ensure better IT systems

As technology keeps improving, it will have a huge impact on the travel industry as well. As a result, the automotive IT industry will grow in 2015.

Crowdsourced Software testing – how good is it?

This is especially helpful when there is a lack of resources for testing the software in various situations and environments. Owing to its usability, it is gradually gaining popularity.

Depending on these trends, the software testing domain assures better quality solutions and better opportunities for the testers.

How to defend your business against security breaches?

Most of the businesses, nowadays, realize how important it is to have a comprehensive strategy for securing data to protect the organization, its employees as well as the clients. For small to medium businesses, this process is often a hassle free one owing to their size and less complicated business structures. For these companies a standard security plan is enough to achieve the data security needs. On the other hand, the enterprises have a more complicated business structure. There are structural challenges that they should meet including huge clientele, wide array of products and services offered across the globe with various internal departments. The crux is that the business data stored at the enterprises are in huge volumes. For them, it becomes even more necessary to ensure that there are no security breaches.

There are certain data breaches that can be easily taken care of. However, certain breaches, like the one that took place in Anthem are a nightmare for any enterprise. The need is to stay vigilant against the perpetrators. Anthem’s database, consisting of 80 million records of both clients and customers, was hacked. Databases are the treasure troves of a company. So how can businesses fight such breaches and ensure protection for their companies? Here are a few ways in which you can adopt to ensure that your stored data is safe.

Keep an Eye on Accounts

You will have to monitor your existing accounts. The very first thing that the companies must watch out for is someone trying to trick the call center and take away important information. The most common mode is that the perpetrators try to break into by using the security question from the gathered information at the call centers. This kind of fraud is quite common. Thus, it is vital that you watch out for unauthorized activities on all the accounts.

Security Solutions – Your Ultimate Requirement

Firewalls are no longer enough. With the help of the IT initiatives, it is now easy to come up with an integrated approach for securing important data. A solution working on multiple levels is what the contemporary businesses require. What you need is a blend of network, content and endpoint securities.

Opt for Security Testing

IT enterprises need security testing on a priority basis. Most of the solution providers think from the perspectives of the hackers and offer solutions accordingly. Besides identifying the loopholes, they also assess their impacts on your business.

Safeguard Your Mobile Work

It’s no longer the 90’s. It is an age where mobile devices are rampantly used by the staffs to deal with sensitive information. They are working out in the open. They are more than often connected wirelessly with networks while on the go. The need here is to ensure that the mobile technology is safe enough so as to important data can be shared.

Storing sensitive information on cloud is a big no-no

The cloud is in. it is being fact adopted by several organizations to ensure quick work procedures. Using the latest developments is fine but you must practice caution. Never store vital information on the cloud. If you do so, you are leaving out data in the virtual world. This is not advisable at all.

Know About Cloud Service Storage

If you are using cloud storage, read the user agreement first to know how it works. it is necessary to read the volumes of texts to know the cloud service you are planning to sign up for works.

Encryption is the best

By encrypting your data, you can protect it in the best possible way. If your hard drive gets stolen and your data is encrypted, it would be impossible to retrieve it. By far, it is one of the best tools to fight back the security breaches. For those who avail cloud services, use an encrypted cloud service.

Companies face numerous security challenges. Therefore, securing data is not an easy task for them. Besides adopting several measures, the best way is to educate the employees about the best practices so that they know how important their role is in defending the business from security breach.

When Should You Start Considering Test Automation?

Test Automation has always been regarded as some sort of magical proportion that leads to an overall improvement in the quality of the product or the processes. It is also considered to be the ultimate long-term solution with respect to cost reduction objectives for ensuring the quality of the product. The decision to undertake test automation should be preceded by careful consideration of certain aspects. Carrying out test automation should be in situations when the major factors of the development program give an indication of failing to meet the desired expectations. Test automation becomes inevitable in situations when there is no other cost effective alternative.

These indicators that are often experienced by the project team include

• Failing to meet quality objectives
• Unacceptable Defect Escape Velocity with respect to production
• Failing to meet the Target Deployment Velocity in the event of testing being perceived as bottleneck
• Failing to complete the testing activity within the stipulated timeframe

Here it is to be noted that testing often is not the real bottleneck as it is perceived to be. However as long as it is regarded as a bottleneck, rest of the quality issues of the system will remain unaddressed.

In such situations, test automation comes to the rescue as the only way for removing the acuity of a testing bottleneck as well as empowering the team carrying out the testing activities. Test automation in these situations also allows the program to be focused on other issues of the development system like the initial code quality.

Various other situations also demand consideration for test automation-

Stability of the application or product has been ensured

Test automation is to be considered after the stability of the application or that of the product has been ensured. There is absolutely no point in automating the testing of an application or a product that is scheduled to go for incorporation of certain new features that might result in changes with respect to functionality.

Testing interface has been identified

Test automation can be carried after the interface to be tested has been identified and finalized. There are maximum three interfaces that an application or a product can have; Graphical User Interfaces or GUIs, Command Line Interfaces or CLIs and Application Programming Interfaces or APIs. Often an application has two interfaces. Unless the testing interface has been identified automation of the testing process is impossible. Generally, GUI interfaces are difficult to automate as compared to CLIs and APIs.

Scope of the necessary automation has been defined

For successful automation of the product or the application, defining the scope of the same is mandatory. Defining the coverage area for the intended automation tool is essential. This Scope often encompasses various types of testing like Regression Testing, functionality testing or merely acceptance testing. The testing team can also go for automating specific testcases with different features or particular features of different testcases.

Individual testcases for automation have been identified

Choosing to automate testcases does not imply doing away completely with the manual testing method. Instead it can be regarded as a means to reduce human effort and also contribute to enhancement of the manual testing format. Automation leads to speed that human effort do not.

Moreover, it is not possible to automate each and every testcases. There are certain testcases that should be eliminated completely from the scope of the automation to ensure efficiency and accuracy.

• These include testcases that are complicated, long and are in need of manual intervention or supervision at frequent intervals.
• Testcases which consume huge time in case of automation must be eliminated from the scope along with those that pertain to usability testing to ensure quality of the product.

Certain types of software testing need to be automated like Regression Testing, Static & Repetitive Tests, Smoke Testing, Load and Performance Testing and Data Driven Testing.

However in order to carry out successful automated testing, appropriate skills as well as training are essential. Though initially, automated testing does involve a higher investment, in future it does lead to a higher Return on Investment.